What to Eat…Now
A dear friend, Andrea Fein encouraged me to read Marion Nestle’s new book, an updated version (and massive volume) on her 2006, What to Eat. Called What to Eat Now, it takes us on a terrifying journey through supermarket shopping and the psychology used to encourage and influence how we shop. I can’t decide if…
How to Eat
You might be wondering what exacrly I am talking about. Don’t we just take the food we choose, chew and swallow it and our bodies do the rest? Am I over-complicating this simple process? Maybe I am, but it seems to me that in this world of social media and ‘influencers,’ we have lost our…
Another Confirmation. How Many Do We Need?
It wears me out. I see influencer after influencer (why do we listen to them?) telling us that plants are toxic and that meat, butter and other animal food products are the key to, well, everything that makes a life healthy. It’s time for a reality check since the latest research shows that 50% of…
How Did Vegans Become Villains?
(Editor’s Note: I read this article recently by another hero of mine, Chef Alexis Gauthier, chef/owner of restaurants in Soho in London. He’s a brave, outspoken advocate for animals and compassion for all beings and I simply adore how he writes and cooks. Enjoy. –Christina) It’s a strange question when you stop and think about…
The New Guidelines for Healthy Eating for Americans
Every time I think that we can’t be more gaslit or sold out by the very agencies put in place to protect our interests…you know, the interests of the American people, I am the one fooled. And once again, I am not disappointed. The ‘inverted’ pyramid has been released by the FDA and HHS; you…
Why Health Advice That Sounds Oh, So Certain Is Often Oh, So Wrong
As I grow more…mature, shall we say, one thing has become increasingly clear to me. I don’t know anything. Obviously, I am being a touch facetious, but as I grow older, listening has become more important than to sound so absolutely certain about what I am saying. “I don’t know.” It sounds small, weak even.…
What Has Immigration to Do with Food?
Like many of us, immigration is on my mind. I see the same news that we all see; I am horrified by the violence I see around an issue that should be anything but violent. For me, this issue is about food, as well human decency. My grandparents, on both sides came to this country…
How Do I Make Change?
I have been doing what I do for a long time; more than 30 years. I have worked passionately at the mission that drives my every waking moment tirelessly and with great joy. The flip side is that I have also, with my Pollyanna optimism, been pushing a rock uphill for the last 30 years.…
Has PBS Been Defunded?
It has not! The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been defunded by the federal government. In its quest to suppress any narrative except the one it prefers, it moved to remove educational television from people’s screens in an attempt to keep us uninformed. National Public Television is alive and well, although because of the way…
Protein Harvesting?
You might be wondering what ‘protein harvesting’ means. I know that I was. It’s the sanitized word now being used to describe the slaughter of animals for our dining pleasure. It’s yet another way to market meat to us that makes it feel less gruesome and healthier for us. Most people who eat animals focus…
I Wonder Why…
I have been reading a lot about veganism lately. Having lived this lifestyle for more than forty years, I would have thought I had heard it all. But there seems to be a…new…wind blowing. I know we live in interesting times; times in which cruelty is celebrated as strength. It is beginning to translate into…
Why Don’t We Like Healthy Food?
I was happily working as a private chef way back in the day. I loved that job: the different kitchens, the varying personalities of the families I cooked for; the varying tastes and desires. It was fun, challenging and rewarding work. I was cooking for a family who were quite new to macrobiotics and plant-based…
Veganism Isn’t a Problem, but Mocking Compassion? Big Problem
I read another blog by my new hero Chef Alexis Gauthier and it made me think. The beginning of the story is a re-telling of his version of events in England…and then it’s all me, baby, ranting. According to Chef Gauthier, in late July, singer Billie Eilish made the bold decision to make her O2…
Protein-Rich Veg? Yes, Please
Protein is a key component of a healthy diet, and some of the best protein sources are vegetables. In addition to being easier on your wallet, these veggies (many of which can actually be grown at home, if you’re feeling ambitious) tend to be loaded with other nutrients which some of those other foods may…
A Chef’s Life Altering Reflection
(From Christina-I have been following Chef Gauthier for some time and have loved his evolution. His commitment to the reduction of suffering and to the welfare of animals and humans makes him one of the greats in my humble opinion. He posted this on Substack. It is more than worth your time to read and…
What Can We Do About Food Waste?
The numbers are terrifying. Here’s some food for thought, pun fully intended. Worldwide, humans waste 2.5 billion tons of food each year, but the United States discards more than any other country, around 60 million tons, (120 billion pounds) every year. Its equivalent to 40% of our entire food supply and translates to an average…
What I’m Eating this Summer
With hot steamy days ahead, we have to plan so that eating well doesn’t fall by the wayside. And while I love to make most of my foods from scratch, summer weather can have even the most intrepid home cook looking for ways to make life easier. Actual Veggies When I don’t make them from…
Have We Lost the Art of Consideration and Kindness?
Where are our manners? I wake each day with a sunny outlook on life. I am very blessed. I have a husband that I adore; friends and family who are loyal and loving…and honest. We live a good, if simple life with enough. All we have ever aspired to is to have enough; not more…
Healthy Living Really Is Boring
As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger. His philosophy on fitness and overall wellness is, to me, spot on. While I don’t always agree with his take on food and some of the supplements he loves, I see in his thinking a foundation on which we can truly build…
The Hope of Spring
As the breezes are growing warmer, wafting through our open windows with the perfume that tells us the chill of winter is finally behind us; it’s clear sailing into summer. We begin to develop a deep desire to clear our homes of accumulated winter clutter; we dust, wash windows and change bedding to lighter, airier…
The Work I Do
I truly love the work I do. And I especially love hearing from all of my viewers and followers across the country. I love that they are inspired by my program, inspired to make better choices in their lives and the lives of the people they love. I just returned from the annual public television…
No One Should Be Surprised by This One
Honestly, I feel like I have written this blog a hundred times before, but here I go again. I recently read two articles that sent my blood pressure soaring. And before you ask, I have no answers except the obvious ones. But I am getting ahead of myself. In Axios, I read that 73% of…
This Season
With the interminable election season behind us, we now deal with the aftermath; who is disappointed, scared and apprehensive and who is thrilled with the results. The good news is that we can finally stop dreading the ugly ads and rhetoric and get on with the sparkling days that make up the holiday season…before the…
What I Eat in a Week
I am having a passionate love affair with Stanley Tucci’s new book, “What I Ate in a Year.” He is a smart, articulate, passionate-about-food, clever writer who charms with every word on every page. His diet, as I read his diary makes my cholesterol and triglycerides rise. But I love his style and his passion…
Cooking from the Heart
As the holidays come on the horizon in all their twinkling glory, we think about cooking. I confess that I always think about cooking, but that’s me. My passion for cooking has never waned. Decades of kitchen life, both professionally and at home…or in a classroom continually inspire me. If you cook, you know that…
Wanna Greens, A Game-Changing Green Vegetable
Not a day goes by (hardly) that I am not messaged, emailed or DM’d about a revolutionary new product that will change the way we think about food, nutrition and sustainability. It’s never actually been true…until now. We met the genius minds behind GreenOnyx about a year ago, when our television sponsor relations partner introduced…
FinaMill…Part Deux
I have been cooking all my life, well, almost. I fell in love with the rhythm of the kitchen at the tender age of 4, watching my mother, grandmother and aunts move around each other in perfect harmony, laughing, singing and drinking coffee as they cooked together. That music was all I ever wanted to…
The Mystery and Magic of Puglia
It was October and the weather was amazing; perfect autumn, cool at night and warm during the day. We were in Puglia filming my TV series in various locations. I was anxious as I always am when filming. I have come to realize that my nerves are just part of the job for me. I…
How I’ll Spend My Summer Vacation
It will be steaming hot this summer, ‘punishing,’ I think it’s being called; as summer is known to be these days. Since it gets so warm and often muggy globally, my little boutique travel business is on hold until September. I always find it so sad when I watch groups of tourists in Rome, Florence…
An Ode to Sunday Lunch
When I was a kid, meals were considered sacred time. I always joke that if you weren’t at the dinner table, you’d best be dead. No excuses mattered. Not late volleyball or swim practice; not play rehearsals; nothing. You were expected around the table for dinner. It was a time together; it was respect for…
Well, This Is Frustrating…
It’s the season of seashells and balloons. We long to hang outside and take vacations, big or small. We savor every second of the long days and warm nights, making any excuse to stay at the beach or in the park…just a little longer. I am just back from working in Italy and Spain for…
Freshly Ground Spices and Wellness
I confess that I am not much for gadgets. They have always been categorized in my mind as “just another thing to clean” when I am cooking. I use my knife and a mortar and pestle for everything. All that changed for me when I was introduced to FinaMill. Sometimes it’s good to be forced…
Fall In Love with Cooking Again and Again
I love pots and pans. No; let me correct that. I adore pots and pans. My husband gets more anxious when I walk into a kitchen store than into a jewelry store. And I especially love great, well-made cookware that is, simply stated, gorgeous. I have cooked with all of the big brands, all with…
Food Noise?
I am all about food…and wellness. I love the communal, sensual nature of preparing luscious, healthy foods and enjoying them with people I love. As an Italian, we always joke that we are either eating, talking about what we ate before or what we might eat later. It’s true. We love everything about food, including…
Regenics…a Medical Wellness Company
It’s no secret that I am all about food and natural healing. I am of the mind that wellness begins in the kitchen and that Mother Nature is our best teacher. I also live in the real world and understand that sometimes, we just need help. I’m writing today about Semaglutide. You may know it…
The World’s Tiniest Fresh Vegetable Takes Healthy Eating to a New…and Yummy Level
When I first heard of GreenOnyx, I had no idea what I was in for. I was told it was a ‘revolutionary product;’ a game-changer.’ I have heard that before…about product after product. I confess that I have not seen many game-changers in the mix. I was completely unprepared for the premier product of GreenOnyx,…
The Importance of Fitness
I was at the gym the other day, sweating through one of my favorite, rough and tumble classes when the instructor yelled out, “Now is not the time to slack off; Memorial Day is just around the corner and we will start showing off our arms! Let’s be readyfor summer!” It got me thinking. Is…
Nightshades and Our Wellness
I have lived a vegan, macrobiotic lifestyle for more than forty years. I came to this lifestyle through severe illness and using a rather rigid approach to eating, was able to turn my health around and enjoy the robust wellness I do today. I am forever grateful to this way of life, forever grateful. In…
Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative Agriculture? Conventional, locally grown, CSA, organic…and now regenerative agriculture. Is it just another buzzy term for us to navigate as we try to shop and vote with our dollar for the health of ourselves, our families, our communities and the planet? No, it’s not. It’s an important (but not new) trend that’s getting a…
What Is It About Healthy Eating?
I was with a dear friend and fellow cooking instructor and health activist having a coffee on a lovely spring day. Our conversation turned to our work; our missions in our lives; why we get out of bed each and every day. We talked about the fact that some days, out work feels like pushing…
Magnesium and Your Brain
Brain care supplements are really having a moment, but are they worth the hype? Many of us think of this as a concern as we age, but brain health should be a real concern, like now, for all of us. What can we do to keep our brains sharp, functioning at their best and serving…
You and Your Blood Sugar
My friend and brilliant macrobiotic teacher, Dani Mayor in Barcelona recently wrote a wonderful article on hypoglycemia and how many of us it affects; its impact on our daily wellness is incredible. According to the National Institutes of Health, 45% of Americans struggle with moderate hypoglycemia while 19% with severe. Wait…what? This felt like something…
Why You Don’t Need a Book to Cook
Cooking has gotten a bad rap in the past decades. From Betty Friedan to talk show hosts telling women that they’re better than the kitchen, we have moved away from this sacred space (yes, you read right; sacred) at such a level that it seems like a novelty to go back into the room that…
Gas Stoves…Now What?
The articles have been around for a couple of years (many years really…), creating a low-level buzz of discomfort in the cooking community. It seems to have become more like a sonic blast now. Are gas stoves killing us and poisoning the planet? It takes someone who lives under a rock to think that anything…
I Got to Thinking
I am in Ireland as I write this, working with a fabulous group. Everyone is tucked in for the night after yet another day of fun adventures and I got to thinking. As we ate dinner this evening, I looked around the table at the happy faces enjoying their meal and I was suddenly nostalgic…
Why You Should Be Packing Your Bags and Traveling to Italy…with Me!
The headlines are terrifying: “Travel Nightmare!” “Flight-mare” “Summer Travel in Peril.” Yikes, right? So what are we to do? Believe the fear mongering and stay in our backyards for the rest of our days? Nonsense! I have just returned from eight weeks travel for work all over Italy (filming tv shows and hosting groups) and…
The Olive Oil Debate Continues…Why?
(Christina’s Note: Like you, my head hurts from the constant debate over extra virgin olive oil. So I asked nutrition expert Anthony Dissen to break it all down for us. Maybe it finally puts this debate to bed. Speriamo…we hope. Thanks, Anthony!) I have worked as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for the past 13 years,…
When Will We Learn?
ProPublica published an article a couple of weeks ago that had me scratching my head in confusion. And then I got well…angry. It seems that back in May of 2018, a rare and quite virulent strain of salmonella (infantis) caught the media’s attention. In less than two months, the bacteria had made more than a…
Let’s Make Pizza
For so many of us, it’s just another weekend in the same place we’ve been for months, living and working day to day; looking for work, dealing with school, struggling or just approximating living. Saturday, Sunday? Who cares? It might just as well be Tuesday or Thursday. But it is, in fact Sunday so let’s…
One Month In…
We are one month into 2021 and the times are still challenging. Sure, there’s hope and optimism as there is with every new year. And this year, that hope feels more important to us than ever. January is behind us, after months of Zoom meetings, pushing off decisions and treading water day to day in…
And Now for Something Completely Different (cooking…)
It’s been months and months of the virus and even if the news around the vaccine is good, it’s not like we’ll be partying shoulder to shoulder in our favorite pizza joint anytime soon. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. The pandemic blues are finally getting to me. I’ve been relatively okay until…
Cooking Now…Again
There are certain kitchen rhythms that I will always associate with these past months of the pandemic. Pot after pot of what we consider “comfort food”: millet soup with red lentils and sweet vegetables is now a classic staple. Nothing new, I cooked hundreds, maybe thousands of satisfying and nourishing dishes, but I cooked with…
Cooking for Thanksgiving
Here we are, in the run up to Thanksgiving and whether you’re alone, cooking for your immediate household or cooking for an intrepid crowd that decided to brave the airways and highways to get to your table, you’re thinking about this year’s feast of gratitude. It might be the first time you have taken on…
Acrylamide-Should We Worry?
Someone wrote to me on Facebook asking about acrylamides. I confess that my first response was acryl-a-who? There seems to be more and more “stuff” out there for us to worry about when it comes to our food. And while some of it is legit, some of it isn’t worth our stress. For me, acrylamides…
Fall Cooking Now
As summer fades into our memory, we mourn its passing, especially this year. We moved through the days with mask-fogged sunglasses and awkward, socially distant gatherings, where we waved at our loved ones across the yard, park or terrace, seated at opposite ends of the bench as we tried to stay connected to each other.…
The Days Roll On
The days became weeks; became months and here we are. The days roll into each other. We savor small changes, small freedoms as we continue to navigate this pandemic. We see each little advance as a triumph as we try to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe. Some of us don’t get enough sleep…
The Joy of Still Cooking
Ah, the pandemic. 2020 has been such a delight (she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm). As the weeks and months of COVID life drag on, I find solace where I usually do: in the kitchen, at the gym (for hot, sweaty outdoor workouts) and in the love and companionship of my husband. But it’s…
The State of the World
It’s been months now of living and working at home, working unmentionably long shifts as essential workers out in the world or living at home and not working at all. We may be surrounded by family or on our own. We nervously wait in lines to get into the market, the post office, the bank…
The Sicker We Get, the Happier We Are?
Watching an hour of television at night makes me feel sick. There. I said it out loud. It’s not the programming so much as it’s the Big Pharma ads during the programs. If they’re to be believed, every single person struggling with one disease or another is well, frankly, living their best lives. If these…
A Midsummer Night Dinner Party
As social distancing and limited exposure to people not in your nuclear circle (like people with whom you share a home) continue, I am thinking about dinner parties and other fun food gatherings, like cooking classes. It seems like decades ago, in a different world, where we all crowded around a table laden with fresh…
Black Garlic, Baby
Black Garlic You might think that garlic that has been heated to temperatures varying from 140o to 170oF for three to four weeks, turning it black and soft should be tossed out. But not so fast. In countries like Japan, South Korea and Thailand, black garlic has long been used for cooking and its health…
Italy, Pasta and My Heart
If life were normal, I’d be deep in the planning stages of hosting one of my glorious Italian adventures. Every cell of my body vibrates with the anticipation of jetting off to my beloved Italy. It was with heavy hearts that my husband and I rescheduled our summer holidays on the sunny Amalfi Coast for…
Our New Normal…For Now
I have worked from home for a long time. Unless traveling, hosting groups; teaching classes and seminars or lecturing, I generally work from my home office (aka, my kitchen), writing and creating recipes. As I looked out my front door here in Philadelphia, the streets are creepily quiet. No rush of cars down the street…
This Chef’s Life
It’s been a long time since I was in a kitchen full time. Most of my days now are spent testing recipes, writing articles, planning and teaching cooking classes, serving on a number of non-profit boards, traversing the globe teaching and hosting groups. I consult with restaurants on healthy vegan menu items. On those occasions…in…
Cozy Soups and Stews
Soup making has always been a kind of ritual in my world. I can remember the aromas coming from the bubbling pots on my mom’s stove. She had a way of combining the most humble ingredients to make the most delicious soups and stews. See, she understood that the key to really good soup is…
Healthy Holiday Side Dishes to Savor
It’s that time of year. A time to gather our loved ones around us, enjoy, share and celebrate…everything. A long, cold winter stretches before us. The holidays distract us from the truth of winter, harsh weather (for most of us…), long nights and short days. We feast and party, party and feast. And we…
The Key to Wellness
My husband was reading the New York Times and sent me an opinion piece by a cardiologist from Tufts University and a former Secretary of Agriculture. The piece hit the nail squarely on the head and rather than put my spin on it, here is the piece, in its entirety. It will make you sit…
Ramp Up the Anti-Cancer Power of Vegetables
The “war on cancer” drags on with no end in sight with 1.9 million Americans diagnosed with cancer last year alone. I don’t know about you, but with stats looking a lot like they did in 1971 when this “war” was declared, I’d say we are losing the battle. But there’s hope and it lies…
Want World Peace? Stop Killing Animals
It’s a simple thought that came to me while I sat in a lecture at a conference. The lecturer was a mentor of mine, Bill Tara, a brilliant man who’s forgotten more about the natural order of the planet than most of us will ever know. He was talking about how easily we could slow…
Is Fried Food Really That Bad For Us? Really?
Yes, really. According to a study published in BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal), frequent consumption of fried foods can lead to a serious outcome: early death. Yup; you read right…early death. Researchers looked at data from 100,000 women followed since the mid 1990’s. Now between the ages of 50-79, these women’s data has revealed some…
Fending off Disease with Fiber
My husband, who I adore, loves Time magazine. Yup, good old fashioned Time magazine. I’m not such a big fan but every now and then, I see an article that piques my interest and inspires me to write. This week I read such an article. The first line of the article reads, “If you want…
Enjoying Eating…No, Really Enjoy It
When was the last time you sat down to a meal and really enjoyed it? Without pondering calories, carbs, protein grams. Without second-guessing your choices and their impact on your waistline or wellness. If you can’t remember, maybe it’s time to eat by intuition and stop eating by the “rules.” Listen, kids, I…
Pasta, Actually
My dear friend and food writer extraordinaire, Jason loves the movie “Love, Actually” so I named this article for him. It was through him that I had the chance to travel to Naples on a whirlwind food tour. Our mission? Pasta. And what a delicious mission it was. Using my connections, his research and…
To Soy or Not to Soy. That Is the Question
I am asked this question all the time, but I realized that I have never really dedicated an entire blog to the topic of soy and the fear that has been created around this humble bean. Walk into any restaurant, coffee shop or super market and you will see for yourself that there are…
Hard to Believe We’re Still Here in 2018
I am an avid listener of the NPR radio program 1A. Well, I was an avid listener, until last week. I find the show and its host, Joshua Johnson to be intelligent, unbiased and open-minded to all sides of an argument or issue. Again, until last week. I often go on record as…
What to Cook This Week
Have you ever stood in the kitchen without one solid idea of what to cook? Espeicially now that we are all cooking all the time? Still? Me, too. Have you ever lost your inspiration and find yourself cooking the same recipes over and over? Me, too. It doesn’t happen to me often, but I…
Seriously?
My husband loves Time Magazine and I love my husband (as evident in this photo of us…and yes, I know; the 80’s called and they want their hair back…but it was the 80’s…). Anyhow, I read Time because he loves it. A recent issue featured an article: “Four Ways to Grill Healthier.” Naturally, my…
Summer Salads That Satisfy
As the days heat up, we are less and less inclined to light all four burners, the oven and the grill to prepare our meals. Nor should we! It’s time to step away from the stove a bit and create delicious, lighter fare to sustain us through the summer weather to come. Salads…
Making Vegan Yogurt
I taught a cooking class yesterday all about managing weight and one of the questions at the end of class was about making vegan yogurt, specifically about the starter part of the process. I confess that I have never been one for yogurt, not ever. My mother adored it and when I was a kid,…
Lighten up Your Lunch
Who doesn’t love a sandwich for lunch? But sometimes the bread and the filling can leave us feeling like we’ve been stuffed like an over-filled pita! Let’s lighten up our sandwiches so we can continue to enjoy them as the days warm and we want to feel light and fresh! Here are two ideas…
What’s Being Vegan Got to Do with It?
I will admit that I have been on something of a long rant these days as I watch junk food being peddled to us as real food and the accompanying pharmaceutical ads (with their breathy disclaimers of side effects) supposed to ward off the impact of these foods on humans. As a cancer survivor,…
It’s Almost Like They Want Us to Die
If you watch television, read magazines or scan internet sites for news or any other information, you have seen the ads. We have tacos with shells made from fried chicken wrapped around meat and cheese. We have burgers with bacon weighing in at 1150 calories. We have breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, bacon and…
Olive Oil and Your Heart
People who follow a Mediterranean diet have a better quality of life and a longer one. You read right: according to research, people who eat a Mediterranean type diet live better and longer. While the diet consists mainly of whole grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds (and in some cases, small amounts of fish or…
The Pomp of Pomegranates
When I was a kid, the only thing that helped me get over the passing of Christmas was the appearance of what my grandfather called “Chinese apples.” I couldn’t wait until he pried the bright red skin open, revealing the tiny jewel-like seeds. I loved the tart juice as it burst on my tongue and…
Can Vegetables Be Our New Meat?
It’s been a bad time recently for meat-and meat eaters. Everywhere they turn, they are faced with studies telling them meat kills, experts advising to quit meat and contaminated meat recalls. Everywhere, knives and forks are paused over juicy pieces of animal shank in hesitation. Of course, surveys also tell us that most Americans are…
Cranberries for A Healthy Holiday Glow
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, our thoughts turn to family gatherings and tradition. Okay, the pressure of holiday shopping is foremost in our thoughts, but stay with me on this little ‘Currier and Ives’ vignette for just a minute. One of the holiday season’s greatest pleasures comes in the form of feasts…from…
Happy Healthy Holidays
I spent a few weeks working in Italy this past summer and fall and was struck by how healthy Italian living feels with its slower pace and relaxed lifestyle. Italians approach life much differently than we do. They’re less concerned with how quickly they can get through a meal, instead savoring each bite with relish.…
The Soy Story (and how it relates to your thyroid…)
From Christina: I am asked about soy and thyroid all the time so I thought I would go an expert on the topic, my great friend, Andrea Beaman. Here are her thoughts on soy. I hope this helps clear things up for you all. When I post a soy-based recipe on my social media that…
Cooking Rules
The simple act of cooking. It has taken on meaning that we can barely fathom anymore. Is it a colosseum-type sporting event with chefs running around a kitchen cooking sea urchin and circus peanuts? Is it a Nonna-like chef taking us back with recipes nostalgic for our youth? The art of cooking comes complete…
What’s Going on with Our Colons?
What’s Going on with Our Colons? The news was big…and somber…and apparently, shocking for many people, including experts. A new study, published in the Journal of The American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed an alarming increase in the rate of deaths from colon and rectal cancers beginning at about the age of 50, but also…
Get Pickled!
It’s all the rage. It seems everyone is fermenting something and extolling the virtues of fermented foods. That includes me. So let’s talk fermentation, shall we? Is it really all that? Fermentation dates back millennia as humanity worked to preserve food through the seasons. Before Christ, the Greeks wrote about the health…
Bashful bananas
I have to tell you, bananas are not my favorite fruit…sorry. It’s not the flavor…they’re sweet, so that’s good, right. It was purely a texture thing; they’re too soft or gushy, as I called them as a kid. So ignore my food foibles and discover the benefits these beauties bring to your wellness for…
The Epitome of Summer…Tomatoes
What’s summer without tomatoes? Lifeless…lackluster…flavorless…okay, okay…it would still be summer and wonderful at that, but tomatoes bring a luscious, sensual energy to hot, sultry days that is without peer in the plant-passionate world I live in. I can hardly imagine a salad without tomatoes bursting open on my tongue, their juices cooling off the summer…
Baby, It’s Blueberry Season
Baby, It’s Blueberry Season One of the many things I love about summer, besides basil, the beach, Italy, hot sultry days, cold crisp salads, lush fruit, staying outside until long after dark…is blueberries. I totally love summer and blueberries rule my kitchen when they are in season. Blueberries belong to the heath family, which…
The Carb Dilemma
I took my inspiration for this blog from my pal, Kris Carr. Both of us were surprised that people were still sooooooooo confused about whether or not to eat carbs. We thought that thinking was so yesterday. But since it’s not, I’m taking a page from her playbook and giving you the best info I…
KISS Me, Baby
I say it all the time. Keep It Simple, Sweetie. It’s the key to success when you’re thinking about changing your diet and lifestyle to reflect healthier habits. My mother used to say that all you needed to create a great meal was extra virgin olive oil, salt, garlic and lemon. I can still…
The Heart Healthy Kitchen
People ask me this question all the time: “what are the ten essential ingredients for a healthy pantry?” In my view, there’s a lot more than ten things, but let’s start with my top ten and you can build on it as you feel better, cook more and live a healthier life. Nuts to You…
Light, Bright Italian Fare
I am always inspired by my travels in and around Italy…all of the Med, really, but Italy is where my heart lives. I feel my best there, the most natural, the most…me. In America, Italian food has the reputation of being heavy, oily and smothered in cheese…and nothing could be further from the truth.…
What’s Up with Turmeric
Obesity, lethargy and lifestyle diseases are almost inevitable or so it seems. With our notorious health-stealing American diet of fast junk food, frozen meals and convenience foods, not to mention the ever-growing threat of environmental toxins. Add to that our sedentary lifestyle practices and it’s no wonder so many of us struggle. Now you’re…
Spring Re-Boot Cleanse-Your Most Gorgeous Spring Ever!
Spring has sprung, but have you? Are you ready to bare your skin to the warmth of the sun? Are you radiant, glowing? Or do you need a wee bit of help to face the lazy, crazy days of summer? Well, here you go. In three days, you’ll be glowing with health and wellness…
Soy, Thyroid and You!
I’m asked this question a lot: Can I eat soy if I take thyroid medication to regulate its function. So I put on my reading glasses and scoured the net for reliable sources of information to put together for you so you can understand the impact of soy on your health and wellness. It’s…
Holiday Leftovers
You’ve worked all week: shopping, cleaning the house, prepping ingredients, baking and cooking for the big feast that brings us together around the table to celebrate our gratitude for abundance, life…and this year, more than ever…each other. The table is set; the candles lit, the wine opened or chilled. The house is fragrant with…
Your Essential Pantry
I must get asked these questions ten times a day: How do I set up a pantry to create health and wellness? What should I include, besides the basics to enhance the nutritive value of the foods I cook? Each time I hear these or the million other variations on the topic of setting…
There’s a New Kid in Town
Camelina oil was brought to my attention a couple of years ago when I was traveling around Italy. It seems some of my best ideas, luck, products, people, experiences, food and loves come when I am traveling around Italy. But I digress. We were minding our own business in Tuscany when I received…
The Power of Sublime Porcini
There are some things that you just can’t live without…great olive oil, sexy shoes, fresh garlic, juicy grapefruit, loyal friends, tulips in the spring and porcini mushrooms. Growing up in an Italian family, cooking…and eating was a part of life, something to be celebrated, enjoyed bite after bite. For me, rich, smoky porcini mushrooms…
Eating with the Seasons: Summer
Just to take us back to the dreamy, leisurely days of summer…yum! Summer Now we’re talking. Summer. It’s my season. Sure, I love Christmas and all that goes along with the festivities, I love the delicacy of spring. I love the freshness of autumn and the crisp chill in the air. I love roasted squash…
Summertime and the Grillin’ Is Easy
I know what you’re probably thinking. Vegetarian and grilling are like Romeo and Juliet…with the tragedy. They just…don’t…go…together. But, really, they do. From corn on the cob to veggie kabobs to yes, desserts, grilling is summer cooking at its best. For carnivores and omnivores, grilling is pretty straightforward. Throw some kind of meat on…
Cha-Cha-Cha-Cherries
As summer really heats up, we look to sweet, succulent fruits to help us keep our cool. Cherries are the perfect summer treat (gee…do you think that’s why nature gives them to us?)…with their juicy flesh and rich mineral content…and they are oh, so yummy. It is difficult to establish the country of origin…
Step Away from the Stove…
What? Is she telling us not to cook? Dream on, kids. I am asking you to explore a new idea to add to your repertoire of healthy eating…raw cuisine. And there’s no better time of year than summert to explore some of the finest crisp, vital, lively food that Mother Nature provides. When I…
Time for a Picnic
As the first day of summer approaches (yippppeeeeeeeee…) we begin to think…picnic! There’s nothing more fun and relaxing, more leisurely and chill than a blanket on the grass with friends and loved ones than a picnic. The keys to a great al fresco party are the food and the people. It’s no picnic being…
Passionate About Peaches
As summer moves into its hottest weeks, I think only of peaches…sensual, soft, rich in nutrients and so lush with juice that it runs over our fingers and drips down our chins, cooling us with their sweet, sunny character. I could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Native to China, the peach is…
Time to Sweeten Things Up…
As far as I’m concerned, pineapple is the aristocracy of fruit. But don’t let its royal appearance fool you. Underneath its regal crown lies sweetly sensual fruit that can take your breath away. The fruit of an herbaceous plant believed to have its origins in Brazil, the pineapple belongs to the Bromeliaceae family. Interestingly,…
How the Heck Did We Get Here?
I think a lot about food. I guess that’s obvious, right? The other day, my husband and I were driving on the highway, passing billboard after billboard for food that seemed to become less like food with every passing mile and ad: burgers, pulled pork, soda, sweets, sweetened drinks, fast food joints selling all…
The Beauty of Basil
One of my favorite things about summer is not the beach or long lazy afternoons in the sun or even the explosion of color and perfume in my flower garden, although I love them all. My favorite thing about summer is basil. From the shape of the leaf to the delicate fragrance to the way…
The Epitome of Summer…Tomatoes
What’s summer without tomatoes? Boring…lifeless…lackluster…flavorless…okay, okay…it would still be summer and wonderful at that, but tomatoes bring a luscious, sensual energy to hot, sultry days that is without peer in the veggie kingdom. I can hardly imagine a salad without tomatoes bursting open on my tongue, their juices cooling off the summer heat…their flavor lifting…
The Sensual Nature of Strawberries
Here on the East Coast, during that brief period of paradise known as early summer (or late spring), strawberries rule…as they should. There is nothing quite like them in the plant kingdom. I can think of no other fruit that inspires thoughts of sensuality and romance like these lush berries. Slightly sweet, with just enough…
Sassy Saffron
With the warming days of spring moving quickly toward summer, I start to think of ways to refresh my cooking. After a long, cold winter of hearty soups and stews, thick soups and warming grain, bean and vegetable dishes, I want light, fresh, crisp and richly flavored foods to carry me into the warm sunny…
Mama Mia!
The modern American holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. In 1908, Congress refused to make Mother’s Day an official holiday, joking that they would have to proclaim also a “Mother-in-law’s Day”. Yikes! Talk about…
Amazing Asparagus
Just when you think there isn’t one more thing you can love about spring, along come the first tender stalks of asparagus, the surest sign of the season after tulips. After a long winter hiatus, the first limbs of this wonderful vegetable are as welcome as the first warm rays of sun on winter-weary skin. …
The Loveliness of Lemons
In Chinese medicine, lemons are a key ingredient in remedies used to aid the liver in its functions of ridding our bodies of toxins, as well as regulating the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The delicately sour flavor and astringent character of lemon juice has made it an important ingredient in home remedies for…
Check Out Chives
I know what you’re thinking. She’s become desperate…she has no idea what to write about anymore, so she is writing about garnishes. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Chives are so much more than the graceful slivers dressing your dinner plate. An aromatic plant native to Asia, the chive belongs to the same…
Paleo-Should We Really Eat Like Cavemen?
I have to say that of all the dietary extremes we humans adopt on our quest for health and fitness, the Paleo or caveman diet concerns me the most. I decided to write about this because it seems to me that there’s a lot of misinformation—and marketing—behind this dietary approach. Once again, people are confused.…
Calm, Cool Cauliflower
Considered by many to be the mild-mannered Clark Kent of vegetables, cauliflower is actually a true superhero of nutrition…and one of my favorite veggies. A garden plant with origins in Asia Minor, cauliflower migrated to Italy, where it was transformed into the plant we enjoy so much today through traditional hybridization. Historical evidence suggests that…
Oil or No Oil-That Is the Question
Not a day goes by that I am not asked about oil. I have to say that while I am honored and thrilled to answer anyone’s questions at any time, this one makes me sad. Sad? Yes, sad. You see, from my perspective, eating a diet of densely nutritious and yummy foods results in robust…
How Far Have We Really Come In Our Quest for Health?
It’s a discussion that has to be had, whether we like it or not. Not a day goes by that we don’t read, see or hear a news story telling us how our collective health is deteriorating. Not a day goes by that we are not bombarded by a walk, run, climb, dance-off, spin-a-thon or…
Living a Healthful Peaceful Life
I am a cooking teacher, first and foremost. I get asked a lot of questions as a result. And it seems to me that we have lost our way when it comes to food. People are so confused. Each day we hear statistics that are scarier than anything that Stephen King could imagine. So now…
Suffering Seaweed, Batman! It’s A Real Super Food!
You may think of them as the annoying fronds that wrap around your ankles at the seaside, but sea vegetables are the ultimate super food. At a time when it seems there’s a new super ingredient every day, sea vegetables are the real deal. If the only seaweed you’ve ever eaten is the nori wrapped…
Shiitake Happens
We may not think of shiitake mushrooms when we think heart health, but we should. I often joke that a true lover would present his or her beloved with a sack of shiitakes before that heart-shaped box of chocolates. The shiitake mushroom has one of the most unusual naturally occurring nutrients called d-Eritadenine, lentinacin, or…
Saturated Fat
As we celebrate our tickers, I thought I would take a look at one of the ingredients that seems to cause us so much grief. We are told that eating foods containing saturated fats raises cholesterol levels in your blood. We know that high levels of LDL cholesterol, along with elevated triglycerides (fats in…
Oh, Boy, Brussels Sprouts
I know what you’re thinking. It’s February, the month of love and romance…and she is writing about Brussels sprouts???? Brussels sprouts???? Before you turn to another article, hang in there with me. By the time you finish this piece, you will have Brussels sprouts as the centerpiece of any romantic dinner…heck, you might even sprinkle…
Tailgate This!
It’s that time of year. We’re all about the Super Bowl. And while the game is the center of the universe for those 4-5 hours, it seems to me that the parties are just as important. We gather with families and friends; in bars and restaurants, homes and clubs and at the field itself tailgating.…
Glorious Grapefruit
I don’t know about you, but where I live, when the bone-chilling cold of winter sets in, it feels like it will never thaw. Steel grey skies, cloudy days and long dark nights leave us shivering under blankets for months. So how do we add a bit of tropical warmth and sunshine to our winter-weary…
Is Fruit Juice Healthy?
We seem to tend toward over-indulgence…the holidays, the summer, graduation, weddings…because it’s Tuesday and then we want to get back on track. Is juice the answer? Maybe; maybe not. The average American drinks about 30 quarts of fruit juice every year. It’s a healthy way to start your day or a seriously convenient method of…
Fabulous Fennel
Growing up in an Italian household, fennel, or finocchio, was a staple on our autumn table. It wasn’t until I grew up that I discovered that it was rarely used in American cuisine. Well, I’m here to tell you that this is a vegetable not to be missed. Originating in the Mediterranean, fennel is a…
Cleaning Up For the New Year
It’s the New Year. You’ve made the decision to clean up your eating habits and get fit. Maybe you’ve made this resolution before, but what if it could really “stick” this time? What if you re-thought the way you approached food and eating and really changed your life? It all begins with cleaning things up.…
Changing How We Think
When I was younger and newly vegetarian, I think I had it easier than today. In order to change how I ate, I had to change how I thought about food. I wasn’t bombarded by faux foods. I didn’t have access to veggie burgers, vegan hot dogs, vegan ice cream, vegan cheese or vegan eggs.…
Changing Your Mind
No one likes change. It’s uncomfortable and takes us into uncharted territory. It can be scary and we aren’t sure of the results…or consequences. And sometimes, we just get tired of “growing.” I know I do. If we are to transform our health and wellness and create the vitality we desire, we must change the…
The Aristocrat of Oranges, The Mandarin
I live on the East Coast. Winter sets in with dull, grey, bone-chilling cold days. Since I can’t always jet off to a tropical paradise for a break from winter blahs, what’s a girl to do? I take my pale-face to the market and pick up some mandarin oranges. They’re like my own personal dose…
The Scoop on Sugar
It’s World Cancer Day, part of a 3-year project to reduce the burden of cancer on the world. It’s a great idea and there are lots of ways you can work…your own life…to reduce your risks…and sugar is at the top of the list. Sorry kids, but this one is big…and real… According to experts,…
Eating with the Seasons: Winter
We live in a great country where we can get any fruit or vegetable at any time of the year. That’s good news and bad news for us. It’s good because it’s a sign of abundance. It’s not so good because in all that abundance, we have lost touch with what’s in season—and how foods…
Nutmeg-Adding Spice to the Season
Nutmeg is one of the signature spices of the holiday season. We associate its earthy flavor with eggnog, spice cakes, cookies and seasonal lattes. This simple spice has an interesting history that isn’t exactly the stuff of holiday celebrations. One of the saddest stories in food history, nutmeg was the subject of torture and bloodshed…
The Salt of the Earth
I decided to write about salt for a couple of reasons. I adore salt and all it does for my cooking and health, but more important, I am asked about it all the time. Salt has become a product category more than an ingredient in our modern foodie culture. From table salt to pink…
Is There a War on Delicious Meat…Or On Our Health?
The headlines blared from every national (and international news outlet): “Processed Meat Causes Cancer, says WHO.” The World Health Organization now says pretty definitively that eating processed meat such as sausages and ham causes cancer, while unprocessed red meat may also be carcinogenic. The WHO’s cancer research unit now classifies processed meat as “carcinogenic to…
An Introduction to the Sublime – Chocolate
Honey…truffles…wine…all hailed as food of the gods at some point in world history. No food, however, is more deserving of the title than chocolate, the aromatic, creamy, rich, dark substance that many people simply cannot live without. Even its name signals its divinity. Derived from a plant whose official botanical name is “Theobroma cacao,” which…
An Apple A Day
As the cold weather continues to march toward us and autumn is in full blush, is there anything that lifts your spirits quite like crisp, juicy apples spilling out of the bins of the local markets? Apple pies, turnovers, or cobblers, baked, stuffed, sautéed or simply enjoyed in their simple exquisiteness, apples are the epitome…
A Week of Lunches
I know what you’re thinking. How boring. Brown bagging lunch every day to the office and sitting at your desk while you eat it. No way, baby. Homemade is far from ho-hum. Look at it this way. If you work outside your home, as many of us do, you’re also eating lunch outside the home…
Glorious Garlic
Glorious Garlic I didn’t cook with garlic until I was about 10 years old. My mother, you see, didn’t like it. I know, right? An Italian cook who didn’t like garlic! Since she did all the cooking for our immediate and extended family, we didn’t eat garlic. I didn’t know garlic. Then she went to…
S-l-l-l-o-o-o-w-w Cooking
There’s something about the fall that makes us crave long-cooked, hearty dishes. They seem to comfort us as the days shorten, the nights grow longer and the frost is definitely on the pumpkin. Allowing for quick and easy preparation, ease of cooking and eliminating the worry of overcooking or worse, burning, slow cookers are seeing…
Eating with the Seasons: Autumn
We live in a great country where we can get any fruit or vegetable at any time of the year. That’s good news and bad news for us. It’s good because it’s a sign of abundance. It’s not so good because in all that abundance, we have lost touch with what’s in season—and how foods…
The Pleasure of Pignoli
Pignoli (or pine nuts) are one of life’s yummiest indulgences. If they appear in a dish, it’s suddenly more special, more richly-flavored. What is it about these pale little bits of goodness? Enjoyed since ancient Rome, legend tells us that warriors ate them for strength and in ancient Greece, authors extolled their virtues as early…
Cooking without Onions
Wait…what? Cooking without onions or garlic? Seriously? I get this question a lot. Some people have a partner who hates all things onions and garlic; some have an allergy to these alliums or a medical condition like IBS that can be aggravated by these foods and some people live according to spiritual practices that prohibit…
O-o-o-o-o-o-h, Onions
As the weather cools, we turn our attention indoors. We move from the outdoor sizzle of the weather to the indoor sizzle of our skillets. For some of us onions are off the table, as they say, for health reasons, spiritual practice or personal preference. Most of us can hardly imagine beginning a sauté without…
Eating with the Seasons
We live in a great country where we can get any fruit or vegetable at any time of the year. That’s good news and bad news for us. It’s good because it’s a sign of abundance. It’s not so good because in all that abundance, we have lost touch with what’s in season—and how foods…
Organic or Non Organic, That Is the Question
My friend and colleague David Steinman generously offered to help me explain the importance of organic foods. David is a journalist, environmentalist, and consumer advocate. His book Diet for a Poisoned Planet grew out of his own personal concern for what was really in the food he was eating. What began as an investigation into…
A Grain of Truth
The word “grain” resonates deeply with me. It evokes images of simplicity, elegance, beauty and humility. Simply stated, whole grains and grain products are the cornerstone of any healthy, whole foods diet. There is an old saying; “Man cannot live by bread alone.” Well, he (and she) sure can live well on grain! Yes, we…
Eating Well on a Budget: Series Post 2 of 2
Let's continue our conversation of what seems like an impossible mission of stretching your dollar to get healthy food on a budget. VegetablesThis is a no-brainer. Veggies are inexpensive and nutrient-dense so you win all around. You fill up, fast and at a low cost. Wait…what? You don’t like vegetables? Um, let me think how…
Eating Well on a Budget: Series Post 1 of 2
There’s a reason that healthy eating seems unattainable. The recipes can seem complicated (translation: lots of prep time) with ingredients that sound unfamiliar and when you seek them out, are expensive and outside your realm of what’s possible. Stretching your dollar to get healthy food on a budget can seem like an impossible mission. So…
Label.ology: General Tips for Reading Labels
How to Read a Label10 Tips 1. Ingredients are listed in order of their proportion in the product. So for me, the first three ingredients are the most important. They’re what make up the majority of the product you’re eating. 2. If the ingredient panel contains long words you don’t recognize, do some research and…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Labels Product Names
How to Read a LabelLesson 5 Don’t let product names fool you. The name of the food product has nothing to do with what is actually in it. Big brand names make products like "Guacamole Dip" that contains no actual avocado! Lots of fat and flavors, but no actual fruit. Made with hydrogenated soybean oil…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Vitamins and Minerals
How to Read a LabelLesson 4 The next part of the label reveals the vitamin and mineral content of the food item you are considering. The FDA requires listings on calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C, but not others. Manufacturers often add other listings of percentages, like folic acid, potassium or magnesium if the…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Ingredients
How to Read a LabelLesson 3 Let’s talk ingredients. We see the lists on packages and sometimes they read like Russian novels. How could all those substances be in one food and be good for us? Of course you know I am going to say the fewer ingredients the better, but what about the ingredients…
The Art of Canning
It’s that time of year. Your seeds have sprung into full-grown plants laden with the fruits of your labor. While much of your garden bounty ends up on your table–and friends,’ neighbors’ and loved ones’ tables, there are often an excess of fruits and veggies that can overwhelm you. There are only so many tomatoes,…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Calories, Fat, Protein, Sodium…
How to Read a LabelLesson 2 The next part of the label includes information concerning fat content and type, amount and type of carbohydrates, protein, sodium, fiber, and sugar. It’s important to note that the FDA now requires the amount of trans fats in products be listed, which is great news. They will be listed…
Label.ology: Ice Cream
The summer is hot. We all want ice cream. It’s a treat synonymous with the season. But is it healthy for us? It can be high in fat, sugar and calories—and stuff you may not want to eat. Just reading an ice cream nutrition label can require a post-grad degree. Many commercial ice creams can…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Serving Sizes
How to Read a Label Lesson One At the top of the label you will see the serving size or the number of servings that the nutrition information is based on. This is one of the most important parts of the label because all the other information in the nutrition panel is based on the…
Label.ology: How to Read a Label
I know–duh, right? Don’t you just pick up the package, turn it over, and read? Yes, but you may not know what exactly you’re seeing. It’s complicated. We are bombarded by conflicting information, buzzwords, health halos and claims being made on packages, so we just chug along, not making changes we know we need to…
Olive Oil and Your Heart…A Healthy Combination
There’s a lot of talk these days about olive oil. There are people who would have you believe that it’s an unhealthy ingredient in your diet. These experts, many of whom I know, love and respect, could not be more wrong…in my view…and in the view of most of the Mediterranean! Some facts for you.…
Gelato, Gelato, Gelato
The summer is hot. We all want ice cream. It’s a treat synonymous with the season. But isn’t it unhealthy for us? Not these recipes! Enjoy! Simple Vanilla Gelato This easy to make gelato has all the creaminess we love about this treat without the fat and sugar we don’t. Makes 6-8 servings 1, 13-ounce…
One reason Italians live so well… lentils!
I admit it. I am completely obsessed with lentils, as are most Italians. I always say that if we could make a delicious lentil gelato, we would! Green, brown, yellow, red, black, small, large, humble or gourmet, lentils rock my world. And you need to let them rock yours, too. Around 6000 BC, lentils (along…
Why Aren’t We Asking More Questions About Chicken?
Do you remember when we first heard about the sinister Avian Flu in 2003? We panicked. The news covered this new bird disease incessantly. China and its Avian Flu became synonymous with illness and fear. Now this disease (in a morphed form) is affecting poultry in about 20 states, forcing the slaughter of more…
If Gluten Isn’t An Issue for You, Should You Still Avoid It?
Not necessarily. Look, I want to go on record as a gluten fan. I love whole wheat flours; I love baking bread and sweet treats. Sure I can work within gluten-free guidelines and a generous percentage of our at-home macrobiotic diet is naturally gluten-free. I also think there’s a real role for gluten in a…
Eat This Now: Arugula
Eat This Now! Arugula…A Most Tender Green For most of us, spring brings thoughts of crocuses popping their pretty little heads through frozen soil…or tulips and daffodils waving lazily in the delicate breeze…or the first warm sunny days teasing us into summer. For me, spring brings back childhood memories of arugula…yes, you heard me, arugula.…
Four Signs of Gluten Sensitivity
Now before I give you fodder to give up gluten ‘just because,’ let me go on record as saying that I think we eat way too much of this protein in our modern diets (just like we do with most protein…). In the macrobiotic way of eating, flour products are considered supplementary to our daily…
Standing Up for Kind
We live in changing times. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal Americans have become ‘serial snackers’ with 48% of us skipping meals, in favor of snacks at least three times a week. http://www.wsj.com/articles/forget-dinner-its-always-snack-time-1404240759 In this culture of grab and go eating, the reigning champion of the modern table is the snack…
Sweet Treats
One of the questions I am most asked is how to convert gluten-containing desserts into gluten-free treats that…well, not to put too fine a point on it, actually taste great. We have all had those gluten-free desserts that taste like sand or glue…or have a completely unpleasant aftertaste from all the gums used to hold…
Is Gluten-Free Synonymous with Healthy?
With about 30% of Americans indicating that they feel like they should “cut down or be free of gluten” (according to a survey), it’s important to make sure your nutrient intake is sufficient and your diet balanced should you decide to take this on. So before you ditch bread and pasta, consider this. If…
What’s All the Hubbub About Gluten?
I confess. As I write this blog, I am chewing on a piece of toast made from Italian artisan whole wheat flour and thanking my lucky stars that I don’t have to live without this manna from heaven. Gluten (from Latin gluten, “glue”) “is a protein composite found in wheat and related grains, including…
A Healthy Breakfast…It Makes the Day!
I always say that your mother was right, at least about this one. Nothing gets your day off to a great start like a healthy breakfast. Skipping breakfast sets you up for a rollercoaster of a day with your blood sugars all over the place trying to keep you nourished and balanced. According to…
My Go-To Dish
This is one of my favorite recipes for strength and endurance. I love how it makes me feel: strong and relaxed at the same time. Perfect for a tough workout. Miso Braised Tofu with Garlic Sauteed Kale Makes 3-4 servings 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons brown rice syrup 2…
Ahhhhhhhh…Avocado
Ya’ know, I never really liked avocados…too soft and mushy. The flavor was okay, but the mouth-feel was just not for me. And then one day, my husband convinced me (after much pleading and cajoling) to try his guacamole…and I was hooked forever. What I had considered soft and mushy was actually smooth, creamy and…
The Farm Markets Are Coming! The Farm Markets Are Coming!
Depending on where you live, it’s still on the early side to trek to the weekly farm market in your town. But it’s certainly the time to get your hands on share of the yield. If you live in California, Miami or other warm locales, you are in farm market heaven year-round! CSA or…
Your Kitchen Farm-acy
Time for the big guns. Let’s move from the herb garden and the medicine chest to the pantry and the fridge because a lot of your relief…or aggravation with allergies can be linked to what you eat…or don’t eat. The good news is that it’s time to spice things up, add some sizzle to…
Bagged Salad: Should We or Shouldn’t We?
It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide if you want it in your food, on your body or in your home. So I decided to put all my years of label reading to good use. It’s amazing to me how ingredients we…
Eat This Now!
Amazing Asparagus Just when you think there isn’t one more thing you can love about spring, along come the first tender stalks of asparagus, the surest sign of the season, next to tulips. After a long winter hiatus, the first limbs of this wonderful vegetable are as welcome as the first warm rays of sun…
Going Meatless
We post some very cool social media with daily healthy tips, yummy recipes and some interesting information about our food and making healthier choices. But now? Oh, yeah, baby. Time for the big guns. While going vegan has become a bit more…chic in the last years, there are still plenty of people who would…
What’s In Your Food?
Do you know what you’re really eating? “Imagine if waiters told you the truth about your dinner order. They’d probably start like this: “Hi folks! Thanks for dining with us tonight! We’ve got some delicious specials for you. Our featured pizza comes on a dough built partially from plastic foam; topped with human hair, duck…
Beans, Beans; They’re Good for Your Heart
How could I resist using that silly little ditty from our childhoods to begin a discussion of beans…and their influence on your heart health? I can’t. My inner Henny Youngman just won’t let me… As corny as that little song is, it rings of truth. Beans, eaten regularly are great for creating a…
Let Them Eat Kale
There are two types of people in the world…those who eat greens and those who should. You can laugh, but it’s true. In my book, leafy greens are the first line of defense when it comes to improving or maintaining your health and wellness. Leafy vegetables are brimming with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and…
Lovely Lentils
I admit it. I am completely obsessed with lentils. Green, brown, yellow, red, black, small, large, humble or gourmet, lentils rock my world. And you need to let them rock yours, too. Around 6000 BC, lentils (along with barley and wheat) were staples of ancient Greek eating, commonly enjoyed in a sort of soup called…
Money Talks…Chocolate Sings!
There’s a saying that money can’t buy happiness. It can, however, buy chocolate. And in my book that’s practically the same thing. It used to be that chocolate, while delicious, decadent and rich was not the best food for health and wellness. In recent years, chocolate has gotten a lot of media coverage because…
Label.ology: Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum) & Petrolatum Liquidium
In this feature, we’re taking labels apart. It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide if you want it in your food, on your body or in your home. So I decided to put all my years of label reading to good use.…
Why We Cook
Why do we cook? Anthropologists tell us that cooking is what ultimately makes us human, differentiating us from other species in that cooking created community. We gathered around the fire…cooking and eating together. They also tell us that cooking helped us to pre-digest food, fueling our brains more efficiently, allowing us to evolve into having…
One Healthy Thing – Let’s Do This
As we move forward into these next days, let’s challenge ourselves with lifestyle choices that will result in real radiant health. Everyone tells us that being healthy is easy (including me…) but is it? We live in a world where we are bombarded by advertisements for food that…on a good day…robs you of your vitality.…
Easy Weekday Soups to Keep You Warm and Strong
As the holiday season heats up, we get busier and busier…and it becomes more challenging to cook from scratch so we stay strong and healthy. One of my go-to methods for keeping us on an even keel is to make several varieties of soups and freeze them in portioned containers. I thaw them as I…
Buona Tiramisu
BUONA TIRAMISU While not really an Italian classic, this yummy dessert has come to be associated with Italian cuisine…right up there with pasta. My version is delish and lighter on the hips. MAKES 8 SERVINGS 2 tablespoons unsweetened organic almond milk 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1/2 cup silken tofu 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 1…
The Root of It All
With cooler weather as the order of the day, we look to our food and cooking styles as our first line of defense against the harshness of cold days. And with the holiday season soon upon us, we will need strength and stamina to get through it. Root veggies are not only sweet and warming…
Cookies to Make You Happy… and Healthy… This Holiday Season
It’s that time of year. The air is crisp and cold. We’ve packed away the flip flops for boots and sweaters. The lights are untangled and ready to adorn the tree, windows and doorways, warming our hearts and our homes, welcoming everyone to celebrate with us. The holiday season is here. And with it, the…
Who Has Time for That?
Watching a cooking show the other day, I saw an ad for Marie Callendar pot pies talking about how the crust is made from scratch and the ingredients simmered with love and care. And then the ad said “who has time for that? Marie Callendar, that’s who.” Seriously? Are we going to fall for…
The Forbidden Fruit
When I was a kid, the end of summer meant three things, pressing grapes with my grandfather to make wine, canning the garden’s tomatoes with my mother…both chores we hated…and picking the figs from my grandfather’s tree…a job we adored. We waited greedily all summer for the succulent fruit of the majestic fig tree that…
The Deadly Nightshades…Or Are They?
I grew up in a big, culinarily inspiring Italian family. We cooked, ate, made and drank wine, cooked, ate, tended vegetable gardens, fought, cooked and ate. But I learned everything I know about nourishment from hanging out with these kitchen wizards. If only they knew how well they practiced macrobiotic ideals, they would laugh…and then…
Ya Gotta Love How Special Our Special Interest Groups Are…
I have been away, working in Italy for about a month, so I have spent a few days catching up on email and other office stuff that has built up while I was gone. I tell you this because I might be a little behind the times on this rant, but I don’t think it…
The Scoop On Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is one of the most intensely concentrated nutrients. And while it has a very strong taste, very grassy, like drinking the lawn…(kidding…) it can be a healthful addition to one’s diet. Wheatgrass can be a great little energy boost or can be used as an occasional cleanse, maybe 1-2 times per week. For those…
Brown Rice Syrup & Arsenic… The Truth I Discovered
People are confused and scared by grim statistics and dire predictions about health and our diets. Organic, non-organic, local, commercial, GMO’s, farm fresh, natural…it’s like you need to be a rocket scientist to grocery shop. And after all that; after doing ‘all the right things,’ the food is less than yummy and you’ve given up…
Brown Rice and Arsenic…Here We Go Again
Just when I think things are returning to some form of normalcy, there is more panic around food…some for good cause and some, as Jon Stewart says, not so much. This article is about the latter. Here we are again discussing arsenic in brown rice and while I am weary of having this same discussion…
The B-12 Dilemma
In our house, 1998 has a pet name…the year from hell. Everyone has them…those years that you literally count the days until they end…even living a macrobiotic lifestyle does not guarantee immunity to such years. We may like to think that it does, that living natural, whole lives makes us somehow magically immune to disease…
It’s Easy Being Green
Shakespeare coined the phrase ‘salad days’ in ‘Antony and Cleopatra,’ referring to a time of youth and innocence. In modern days, this same phrase indicates the peak of life, regardless of age. I wonder if The Bard really knew what he was saying, if he knew the value of greens in keeping us youthful and…
Where Does Your Food Come From?
It’s all the rage. Eating organically produced foods, supporting farm markets, CSA’s and eating locally have become as common in our language of food as food itself. We are all concerned with making a lighter footprint; leaving the world a little better, a little cleaner for our being here. We want to consume fewer resources;…
Napoli and Pizza
My mother’s family came to America in search of a better life. The youngest of seventeen children (yes, you read right, seventeen!), my grandmother talked often of their life in a small village outside the city of Naples in southern Italy. She talked about day-to-day things, the stuff of life in a small town. She…
The FDA Says Walnuts Are Illegal Drugs?
I am an avid reader of the magazine Life Extension. I find their articles compelling, no-nonsense and their research impeccable. In one of their issues, I read an article that made my skin crawl, my hair stand on end and my rage boil over like a too-long simmering stew. Wait til you hear this one!…
Celebrating Chocolate
The great Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus christened the cacao tree…food of the gods…and boy, was he right! We’ll never know what nirvana is…well, most of us won’t anyway…maybe the Dalai Lama (but I hear he loves chocolate, too)…but chocolate is about as close to ambrosia that we mortals will ever experience. For most of us,…
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